Pro bono opportunity

Added Tuesday 22 December 2009 :: Category: General :: »

The current recession provides a great opportunity for lawyers to engage in pro bono work, wrote Patrick Hume SJ in the Irish Times on Monday 21 December. The economic downturn has resulted in professionals of many kinds, including teachers, builders, and architects, seeking opportunities in voluntary work. Lawyers are no exception, but their pro bono work at the moment tends to be piecemeal and ad hoc. According to Patrick, if a formal pro bono scheme were to be organised it would benefit not just those receiving the service but the legal profession itself. Furthermore, he adds, the legal profession has already done the groundwork necessary to foster and encourage such an approach. All that is necessary now is the implementation.